Nigerian pastor acquitted of rape to leave South Africa
This comes shortly after prosecutors announced their intention to reopen the investigation.
A Nigerian televangelist who was acquitted of sexually assaulting young women from his congregation was scheduled to depart South Africa on Sunday, according to local news reports.
This comes shortly after prosecutors announced their intention to reopen the investigation.
Timothy Omotoso was recently cleared of 32 charges, including rape, sexual exploitation, and human trafficking, following eight years of imprisonment.
The verdict sparked widespread outrage in South Africa, with the judge criticizing the prosecution for mishandling the case.
The 66-year-old pastor was scheduled to depart from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo Airport to his home country, Nigeria, according to state broadcaster SABC and Newsroom Afrika television.
Footage aired showed Omotoso at the airport wearing a grey hoodie and sunglasses, engaged in conversation with an immigration officer.
The exact departure time of his flight was not immediately available.
According to a transport ministry official speaking to AFP, Omotoso was not required to obtain their permission to exit the country.
Earlier this week, state prosecutors announced plans to appeal his rape acquittal and to look into the conduct of the team responsible for the case.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) believes there are reasonable prospects of winning an appeal despite the complexities involved in the legal process.
Omotoso leads the Jesus Dominion International (JDI) church, which is based in Durban, a city on South Africa’s eastern coast.
The South African government states that JDI also has branches in Nigeria and Israel.
On May 10, Omotoso was rearrested on immigration charges, and the South African government announced that he faces deportation.
A magistrate's court ruled this week that he must be released, stating he cannot be held for more than 48 hours without being formally charged.
